Varsity Wrestling

The wrestling team has finally arrived! After four years of defeat as a team due to a lack of wrestlers, the Saint Martin's Wrestling Team has become a force to be reckoned with. Despite the quality of such past wrestlers as Martin Muller, Alan and Paul Kirshbom, Arnesto Rodriguez, Bill Coloumb and various "sometimes" wrestlers, the team never had the numbers necessary to compete as a team. When 9 of 13 weight classes are forfeited, it simply doesn't matter how good the four wrestlers are.

This year, however, the team underwent a big change. The large crop of Middle School wrestlers which Coach Hosli has been training for three years has finally been harvested, with awesome results. The team swept through dual meets defeating such Division I powerhouses as Riverdale, Ehret and East Jefferson and Division II schools like John Curtis, Port Sulphur and Higgins.

The team also did surprisingly well in tournaments with exceptional performances by eighth grader Todd DeMonte, freshmen Hans Ryden, Clay Tidwell, Lee Abbott, Brady Wood and Sean O'Neil. Also, sophomores Russel Levy, and Pat Calhoun, juniors Drew Calhoun and team captain Paul Kirshbom. The addition of the raw power provided by the three Calhoun brothers and David Favaloro added a new facet to St. Martin's wrestling which had up to now been a team of primarily technical wrestlers.

Despite the three defeats at the hands of Division I giants Rummel, DelaSalle and East St. John, everyone in the state was impressed by the sudden rise to prominence by the STM team. Many other teams now look at St. Martin's as being one of the teams to beat in Division II.

Considering the fact that the team was composed of one eighth grader, 8 freshmen, 3 sophomores, two juniors and one senior, it seems that the team can do nothing but improve. Practically the whole team will be returning next year and not only will be a power to be reckoned with, will soon be a power to be feared!

Paul Kirshbom

**STAFF NOTE: Team picture not available